1 / More and more people are interested in literacy education programs in Morocco. According to recent statistics from the Ministry of National Education Literacy Department, the number of people benefiting from literacy, programs rose to 709,155-an increase of nearly 54,000 over the previous year. 190, 941 of the participants are children. this shows an improvement in people mindset that becomes more excited about learning languages.

2/ This year’s program has had a richer success than previous years because new ideas have been introduced, such as the publication of literacy teaching books ,and the creation of multimedia teaching aids .Now ,more than 750 non-governmental organizations are involved in literacy education ;some of them are international. Thanks to the collective efforts of these organizations, many people have learned to read and write.

3 / Imane Jbili is one of the people who benefited from such programs. « I left school five years ago because my parents couldn’t afford to pay for my school expenses, but I was able to return to the non-formal education program this year. Now I am learning jewelry making so as to set up my own business in the future, » she said.

4/ Even pupils at primary school are participating in fighting illiteracy .They sensitize their parents and other people, particularly in rural areas, to the importance of learning. Ali Maarouf ,one of those pupils, helped a friend to return to school, and he is quite proud of his initiative « I insisted that my friend should come back to study.’ did all I could to persuade him catch up with classmates .I am happy now that he has managed to get along with classes , » he said .

5/ Nora Charaf, aged 42, 1earned to read and write over a period of two years. « Now I understand a lot of things, I am no longer ashamed of being illiterate. I feel that I’ve become someone else » she said confidently.

6/ Rachid Salimi, a teacher, points out that although many people benefit from the Moroccan population aged of 10 and over 38.45 % « fighting illiteracy is a big challenge, we must redouble our efforts to win this battle,” he said.

COMPREHENSION

A/Are these sentences true or false? JUSTIFY

1-Only adults are benefiting from literacy programs.

2-Many NGOs are contributing to the Moroccan Literacy programs.

3-Imane left school because her parents wanted her to work.

B/ Answer these questions.

1-What new things have been introduced to make this year’s literacy programs a success?

2-Why does Ali Maarouf feel proud?

3-Which »battle » does Rachid Salimi want us to win?

C/ Complete the following sentences.

1-In order to go into business, Imane Jbili ……………………………………………………………………………